In 2024, more than 40% of U.S. employees worked remotely at least part of the week. That’s huge. But here’s where it gets interesting: 87% of workers still want some form of remote or hybrid work going forward, according to a survey from McKinsey. That’s almost 9 in 10 people who are either already working from home or seriously hoping to.
And yet—finding those jobs can feel like scrolling endlessly through Netflix with nothing to watch.
If you’re one of those people trying to figure out how to find jobs that will allow you to work remotely in 2025, you’re not alone. But more importantly—you’re not stuck.
This isn’t your typical advice dump. We’re going to look at what actually works, based on what’s changing right now in the remote job market. You’ll walk away with a strategy, not just a list of websites.
1. Go Where Remote Roles Are the Default—Not the Exception
Before you even touch your resume, start here: target jobs where remote work is already baked into the role.
Jobs in software development, digital marketing, UX/UI design, writing, editing, and virtual assistance are all remote-friendly by nature. These roles don’t require someone to be in an office or even in the same time zone. That’s what makes them a sweet spot if you’re serious about working from anywhere.
A report from FlexJobs shows that tech, writing, customer service, project management, and marketing make up the top five remote categories in 2024—and 2025 is tracking the same way.
2. Watch Out for Fake “Remote” Jobs
Here’s a weird twist: some jobs labeled as “remote” aren’t really remote. Companies sometimes use “remote” as clickbait. Then, after a few interviews, surprise—they expect you in the office two days a week or “prefer local candidates.”
That’s not remote. That’s sneaky.
To avoid this, scan for these red flags:
- “Remote, but must be within commuting distance”
- “Remote during onboarding only”
- “Must be available for in-person meetings periodically”
Want to know how to find jobs that will allow you to work remotely in 2025 without being tricked? Search for terms like “remote-first,” “fully distributed team,” or “async-friendly” in job descriptions. These signal that the company takes remote work seriously—not as a temporary perk, but as a core way of operating.
3. Use Remote-First Platforms, Not Generic Job Boards
Still using Indeed or Monster as your main job search tool? You might be wasting your time.
Instead, check out platforms designed specifically for remote work:
- Otta: Great for curated startup roles, including remote-first companies
- We Work Remotely: One of the oldest and most trusted platforms for remote jobs
- Remote OK, Remotive, and FlexJobs: These sites filter out “fake remote” listings and focus on verified work-from-anywhere roles
That’s where the action is. If you’re really focused on how to find jobs that will allow you to work remotely in 2025, these are the tools the pros are using.
4. Focus on Time Zones as Much as Job Titles
Say you live in New York and find a “remote” job based in Tokyo. Looks great—until you realize team meetings are scheduled for 2:00 AM your time.
Remote work isn’t always location-independent. Some companies want a four-hour overlap between your hours and theirs. Others might insist on full availability during their time zone.
So here’s the move: when applying, check where the company’s team members are located. It’s often in the job listing or on their “About” page. If their HQ is in Germany and you’re in Texas, ask about time zone flexibility before wasting time on a 3-interview loop.
5. Tailor Your Resume for Remote Roles
You need to show, not tell, that you’re cut out for remote work.
Instead of just listing tools you know, describe how you used them to get results.
- “Led a remote team of 5 across 3 time zones using Notion and Slack”
- “Automated task workflows using Zapier to reduce back-and-forth emails by 40%”
These aren’t just bullet points—they’re proof. When hiring managers are sifting through hundreds of applicants, this kind of detail helps yours stick.
6. Show That You Can Work Without Supervision
Remote employers are looking for two things: autonomy and trust. If you need a manager to check in with you every hour, remote life might not be the best fit—and recruiters will pick up on that.
To show independence, include a short section in your resume or LinkedIn that highlights:
- Self-driven side projects
- Freelance or contract experience
- Volunteer work you’ve led
Even better? Link to examples. A blog post you wrote, a product design you led, a community you moderated. That tells people: “I don’t just talk—I do.”
7. Create a Personal Website or Online Portfolio
If you don’t have an online portfolio, you’re missing one of the easiest ways to stand out.
You don’t need to be a designer or dev. Use a Notion page or a simple site builder like Carrd or Wix. Add:
- A bio that explains who you are and what you do
- Work samples or case studies
- A contact form or email
- Links to your socials or resume
Think of this like your digital handshake. It’s quick, personal, and makes people take you seriously—even if your resume gets buried.
8. Learn the Language of Remote Hiring
Hiring managers at remote-first companies look for a very specific vocabulary. It’s not just about skills—it’s about how you work.
Use keywords like:
- “Async collaboration”
- “Self-directed”
- “Loom/Notion/Slack/Trello workflows”
- “Remote-first environments”
- “Time zone flexibility”
These aren’t fluff words. They’re signals that you understand what makes remote work, work.
9. Follow the Money: Understand How Remote Pay Works
Not every remote job pays the same—even if the job is identical.
Some companies (like Buffer or GitLab) use a location-agnostic pay model, which means your salary won’t drop if you live in a cheaper area. Others adjust based on cost of living.
To find out, check their careers or culture pages, or use tools like Levels.fyi, Paysa, or Glassdoor to get salary transparency.
Understanding how pay works in remote jobs means you’ll know how to negotiate—and when to walk away.
10. Don’t Skip Networking (Even Online)
It’s easy to assume remote job hunting is all about applying online. But you can cut the line by networking digitally.
Here’s what works:
- Join Slack communities for your industry (like Online Geniuses for marketers)
- Engage in niche Discord groups or Reddit threads
- Post short, thoughtful takes on LinkedIn or reply to job-related content
People hire people they trust. And the internet makes trust-building a lot easier than cold applications.
11. Pitch Yourself (Cold) the Right Way
You don’t have to wait for a job posting.
Make a list of companies you admire that operate remotely. Then send a cold email or message to someone on the team. Keep it short, human, and specific. Here’s a framework:
“Hey [Name], I’ve been following [Company] and love what you’re building, especially [insert product/news]. I’m a [your skill] with [X years] experience in [field], and I noticed you might be expanding [specific team]. Mind if I send over a 2-minute video with a few ideas?”
Short, non-pushy, and confident.
12. Think Like a Consultant
Even if you’re job-hunting full time, show up like a consultant, not a job beggar. You’re not just asking for work—you’re solving problems.
Use phrases like:
- “Here’s how I helped a past team increase X”
- “I saw your product just launched this feature—I’ve worked on something similar and had thoughts”
- “Happy to brainstorm ways I could support your team”
It flips the power dynamic. And that energy sticks.
13. Make Your Job Search Remote-Friendly, Too
If you’re trying to work remotely but stuck in an in-person job hunt mindset, you’ll burn out.
Set boundaries for your job hunt the same way you’d set them for remote work:
- Time-block your applications
- Take breaks between interviews
- Don’t check email every five minutes
You’re building a long-term habit, not grinding your way into burnout.
14. Build a Side Project That Doubles as Proof
Want to go next level? Build something you can point to.
Write a blog. Launch a small newsletter. Build a tool in Webflow. Start a YouTube channel explaining what you know. It doesn’t have to go viral—it just has to show you take initiative.
One hiring manager said, “If someone has a side project, I instantly move them up the list. It shows curiosity and consistency.”
15. Remember: It’s a Skill to Find Remote Jobs—Not Just Luck
Most people think remote workers just got lucky. But that’s not true.
They got there by learning how to find jobs that will allow you to work remotely in 2025—then putting that knowledge into practice.
They:
- Focused on the right roles and companies
- Built resumes and portfolios that told a story
- Positioned themselves as independent, not needy
- Took small risks to stand out
You can do all of that. You just need a system—and now, you’ve got one.
